From bustling beaches with the city behind you to empty beaches without a trace of civilization, from big waves to gentle, and from wide sandy stretches to rocky coves, you’re never far from a beach in Banderas Bay. In fact, three-quarters of the bay’s 34 mile (55 km) coastline is beach. There’s also no shortage of activities: swimming, scuba diving, snorkeling, surfing, windsurfing, kitesurfing, jet skiing, parasailing, and banana boating are all available. The following are some of the area’s must-see beaches, going from north to south.
Playa San Francisco
Known as “San Pancho” to the locals, this small town is blessed with a long beach. Surfing is just one of the many water sports that are popular here. The beach is also home to a sea turtle conservation program.
Playa Sayulita
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Sayulita is synonymous with surfing. Surfers began coming here in the 1960s, and today it’s the most popular surf spot in the region. If you’re new to the sport, don’t worry – board rentals and lessons are available.
Playa El Anclote
Located near Punta de Mita, the northernmost tip of the bay, El Anclote is an excellent place for water-related activities. Take a tour to the Marietas Islands for snorkeling, diving, and seabird watching. Or, go on a whale watching tour.
Playa Manzanilla
This beach sits at the southern end of the small fishing village of La Cruz de Huanacaxtle, and is protected by a headland. This area has long been popular with boaters, especially since the addition of a marina here a few years ago.
Playa Bucerias
At nearly seven miles (eleven kilometers) long, Bucerias’ beach is by far the longest in the bay. This makes it ideal for those who are looking for a bit of privacy – it’s not too hard to get away from the crowds with a bit of walking. The waves are usually gentle. You can also explore the small town of Bucerias, and try some of its signature seafood.
Nuevo Vallarta
With a beach that’s very wide and three miles (five kilometers) long, you shouldn’t have too much trouble finding a spot of your own here, either. Also of interest is the marina, which hosts an annual regatta.
Marina Vallarta
The Marina has a long, wide, and sandy beach, much of which is split up among the various resorts and hotels along the shorefront. The beaches here offer a great view of downtown Puerto Vallarta.
Playa Los Muertos
Easily the liveliest beach in the bay, Los Muertos is located along the Romantic Zone in downtown Puerto Vallarta. If you’re looking for privacy and seclusion, this may not be the beach for you. But if you’re looking for a little more excitement, you can listen to mariachi bands, eat at one of the many beachside restaurants, buy souvenirs from the vendors, go parasailing, or just people-watch. Los Muertos is also home to the pier, one of the main places to catch a water taxi.
Conchas Chinas
Conchas Chinas, or “Chinese Shells,” was so named because of the numerous fragments of small white shells in the sand. The Sierra Madre mountains plunge into the Pacific at a steep angle here, so instead of one beach, this is actually a number of small, rocky coves. Located just south of downtown Puerto Vallarta, you can walk to Conchas Chinas from Los Muertos Beach. It’s not easy terrain, though, which explains how few people there are. A highlight of the area is looking at the beautiful villas which cling to the mountainside.
Playas Gemelas
These two small beaches are side-by-side, and their clear waters are good for swimming and snorkeling. Although there are condos nearby, we recommend you bring your own food and drinks.
Playa Mismaloya
This sheltered cove became famous after the 1963 film The Night of the Iguana was filmed here. Predator was also filmed in the jungles on the mountains above. Playa Mismaloya is a wonderful place for snorkeling, and it also offers one of the best views of Los Arcos, the arched rocks rising out of the sea that have become a landmark of Banderas Bay.
Boca de Tomatlan
This jungle village at the mouth of Los Horcones River has a small beach, but it’s better known for being the main water taxi hub of the south shore. The main road south out of Puerto Vallarta, Highway 200, hugs the coast until it comes to Boca de Tomatlan, but then it turns inland. If you’d like to visit any of the beaches south of Boca, you can take one of the numerous pangas (water taxis) available here.
Playa Las Animas
There’s not much on this secluded beach except for a few restaurants and some palapas, which make it an excellent place to get away from it all. You can get to Playa Las Animas via a water taxi from the Los Muertos Pier or Boca.
Quimixto
Accessible by water taxi, Quimixto is emerging as one of the hotspots for surfing in Banderas Bay, complete with its own annual surfing competition. If you need a break from the beach, Quimixto’s other main activity is horseback riding.
Yelapa
Located at the southern end of Banderas Bay, Yelapa has become known for its simple, laid-back way of life. The beach is good for swimming, parasailing, and snorkeling, and if you walk up the river, you’ll find a jungle waterfall. Don’t miss the local specialties: home-made pies sold on the beach, and raicilla, a moonshine made from the maguay plant. To learn more about Yelapa, read our article.
